Testicular seminoma: an experience from NCI, Cairo with a protocol for the treatment of stage I seminoma

ABSTRACT

This study was a retrospective analysis of 60 patients with pathologically documented testicular seminoma. The group comprised 21 patients with stage I disease, 17 stage IIa, 17 stage IIb and IIc and five stage III. Cryptorchidism was reported in nine patients and elevated beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin [BHCG] in six. All stage I and IIa patients were treated with radiotherapy alone and reported a five year relapse free actuarial survival rate [RFS] of 93%. Six of stage IIb and IIc patients received radiotherapy and chemotherapy, seven received radiotherapy alone and four received chemotherapy alone. The five-year RFS was 53%. Cryptorchidism did not adversely affect the survival of the patients. High level beta HCG was more commonly encountered in patients with an advanced disease 5/22 in stages IIb, IIc and III compared with 1/38 in stages I and IIa